Before you start
Meet einlegen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
ein- + legen
- ein-
- inward, into something
- legen
- to lay or place
You lay something into a container or liquid.
So einlegen means to put or insert something; to preserve food in liquid.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Verb family
More verbs built on legen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: ein·legen
In a main clause the prefix ein splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseEr legt das Papier in die Mappe ein.He puts the paper into the folder.
Subordinate clauseIch koche das Fleisch, weil ich es in Öl einlege.I cook the meat because I preserve it in oil.
Participle: eingelegtzu-infinitive: einzulegen
Forms
How einlegen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | lege ein | legte ein |
| du | legst ein | legtest ein |
| er/sie/es | legt ein | legte ein |
| wir | legen ein | legten ein |
| ihr | legt ein | legtet ein |
| Sie | legen ein | legten ein |
Partizip II eingelegt · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich lege die Karte in den Leser ein.I insert the card into the reader.insert a card
- 2Sie hat das Gemüse in Essig eingelegt.She pickled the vegetables in vinegar.Perfekt with haben
- 3Du musst die Tabletten in Wasser einlegen.You have to soak the tablets in water.with a modal verb
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
einlegen + der Brief
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use der Brief as the thing you put in.
- 3Say where you put it.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I put it in the phonedas Handy yesterday.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When the old filmder Film (camera film) was fullvoll, I put a new one in.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She puts the vegetablesdas Gemüse in vinegarder Essig because they taste goodgut schmecken that wayso.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The carddie Karte that he put in works well.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
You must put the moneydas Geld in the envelopeder Umschlag before you leave.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
It is easyeinfach to put the card in.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Could you put the new paperdas Papier in the printerder Drucker?
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 9 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
einlegen + das Gemüse + weil
Your challenge
- 1Use das Gemüse as the thing you preserve.
- 2Add a weil-clause giving a reason.
- 3Put the conjugated verb at the end of the weil-clause.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What food would you like to preserve for the winter?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one German sentence using einlegen.
- 2Name a food you would like to preserve.